The other day I caught a few tweets by Darren Rowse (@problogger) regarding social media “experts” on Twitter.  They amused me and also got me thinking.  Here are some of his tweets:

I wonder how many times ‘social media expert’ appears on profiles of Twitter users? 9:15 AM May 1st from TweetDeck

Might change my profile 2 ‘social media unexpert’. Most ppl I respect on SM generally admit 2 having no idea what they’re doing 9:19 AM May 1st from TweetDeck

RT @KirstenParagona: @problogger it would be easier to track how many times “social media expert” does NOT appear in a twitter profile. 9:22 AM May 1st from TweetDeck

About 10 of you replied to me that social media ‘guru’ is another over used term in profiles 🙂 9:22 AM May 1st from TweetDeck

Indeed I have also noticed how many people label themselves social media experts of some sort in their profiles.   It sure seems like every third person who begins following me.

While it is kind of amusing I think it’s indicative of the passion that tools like Twitter seem to ignite in people.  I know that is the case with myself.

And while I do consider myself as someone savvy with the technology who teaches others these tools as a part of what I do for a living, I’ll never claim to know it all.  Social media itself changes and evolves practically on a daily basis so how could anyone know all there is to know?

Darren makes a good point about the people he respects in social media.  It’s new, it’s dynamic and everyone uses it differently.  What I teach others who want to use it for marketing purposes is based on what has worked for me and what I have seen it do for others.

Are there probably a few phonies out there claiming to know how to help people get results when they are really pretty clueless?  Sure.  You will find that in any field, especially one that’s touted as the latest and greatest.

If  you are trying to learn, of course you want to do so from someone more knowledgeable than you who is also a great teacher.  But along with that I believe that being passionate is crucial too.

I wonder, what do you think it is that makes people so passionate about social media?  What do you look for in an “expert?”

As for me, I won’t be calling myself a guru in this lifetime.  But an “enthusiastic, social media-savvy teacher” suits me just fine. 🙂

Photo Credit: Meet the Media Guru